msqm
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Posts posted by msqm
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Tuesday
I had an appointment for ACS this morning at 10:00 AM. I took care of two things - total cost 30 USD:
1. Added additional pages to my passport
2. Got my EOR letter notarized.
I showed up a little early, which was fine. I concluded my business quickly and exited the building around 10:20. NOTE: You can schedule more than one service during the same visit, however, you must first make two separate appointments online through the USCONGUZ website (at which point you will select identical dates and time for each service). No problems with the ACS. The vice-council who notarized my EOR did not ask any additional questions, however, he did spend a long time comparing the dates mentioned in my letter (I used MANY ¨C mm/yyyy) with the visas, entry/exit stamps in my passport. During his preparation, I just sat and waited. Smokiessky was also there at the same time getting his EOR taken care of as well.
After I returned to our apartment, Mrs. Yang, came over again to make sure I made my ACS meeting, and to help organize Jingjing¡¯s kitchen sink. She told us that we were very well prepared that that the consulate officer might just give us the pink slip w/o asking any questions! Seriously doubt it, but I wish. She spent about an hour helping her.
Mrs. Yang, can speak English, and I believe her listening ability is honed in fairly well. Please understand that English isn¡¯t her first language, and that misinterpretations occur (from both parties). I¡¯ve had no problem speaking with her, but I¡¯ve done so almost completely in Chinese, which I think she prefers. I just wanted you guys not to set unreasonable expectations. Regardless, I¡¯m sure your fianc¨¦/e or spouse will be with you and would easily help you overcome any language barrier. Jingjing and I have appreciated everything that Mrs. Yang has done for us.
Later, Jingjing and I headed up to the Yang¡¯s business office to print out a few documents (from my trusty digital sink) on their office computer. Mrs. Yang DOES NOT CARE if you need to print out a few docs on their computer. Of course, they didn¡¯t charge us for the copies.
UPDATE:
This just happened. While eating lunch, two more uninvited guests entered our apartment (the landlord's husband was giving a tour to a potential tenant) . Now, I¡¯m a patient guy and I try to be the ol¡¯ ¡°slow to anger, quick to love¡± person my parents raised me to be, but I really struggled this time around - one time's a fluke, but two times? Come on, now. Last time, my wife told Yang what happened. This time, I told her it was my turn so we called Mr. Yang down for a heart-to-heart, Kyle-style.
I was successful in being polite, but I threw the caution of being too strong out the door. I gave him three options:
1. Move us to an apartment that he himself owns.
2. Change the lock and replace it after we leave.
3. We leave and find a new place for the duration of our trip.
Yang quickly chose to change the locks and said he would do so in thirty minutes, with no charge to us. He completely understood our ¡°frustration¡±
I¡¯m not the ¡°threaten¡± type, but I did state matter-of-factly that I was documenting our whole GUZ experience and would relay EVERYTHING to the CFL community (then my wife chimed in and said the same thing on 001). Not really knowing how to reply, he just smiled and nodded ¨C acknowledging that he understood. After it was all said and done, he confessed that he actually doesn¡¯t own any of the apartments that he rents out, rather, he sublets them out from other landlords. He stated that this was the first time that the landlord didn¡¯t respect the agreement and that the landlord who owns our apartment was new and that she didn¡¯t yet learn how things work around here.
Mr. Yang is a great guy and I HAVE NO DOUBTS that he and his wife are honest and carry a great depth of integrity. Would I still recommend the Yang¡¯s? Yes, but with one stipulation:
Make certain they are aware that you¡¯ve read this account and suggest having the locks changed at the beginning of your stay.
I offered to pay for the new lock and to hire the locksmith to make the change. The Yang¡¯s would not allow me to pay. I¡¯m uncertain how much it cost; however, I know for certain you can get the same thing done in Wuhan (because I did it) for less than 100 RMB. For me, that¡¯s worth it, for having the peace-of-mind and privacy I expect when carrying around the kitchen sink. The Yang¡¯s understood all of this and they also agreed. Needless to say, Mr. Yang was (I hate to use this word) pissed. Before he was out the door, he was dialing up the landlord on his cell phone.
CONSIDER YOURSELVES INFORMED
However, pertaining to the service attitude of the Yang¡¯s I have nothing but praise. They have exceeded all of our expectations by a substantial margin.
Jingjing, just told me that Mrs. Yang, knows how to change the lock, so apparently no locksmith is needed. They also have a spare lock so there was no need to purchase one.
Apparently what happened was that Yang chewed out the woman landlord yesterday, but she didn¡¯t tell her husband. I suspect that she probably kept this from him because of the face factor. I have a hard time believing that she ¡°just forgot¡± to do so. The previous sentence though is pure speculation on my part.
After the Yang¡¯s changed our lock, Jingjing and I focused on organizing our kitchen sink. This is how we did it:
Jingjing bought several plastic see-through folders (11 of them) and after filling all of them with our information, we stacked them. We then proceeded to make tabs (think of a Bible) labeled 1,2,3 . . .11. I think Randy suggested (if I miss quoted, then I apologize for not giving the proper credit) making a cover sheet to hand the VO itemizing our kitchen sink. We made two copies, one for Jingjing and one for her VO. See below:
http://i49.tinypic.com/332vvw8.jpg
This evening we hung out with Smokiessky and his fianc¨¦e. It was a nice time of dinner and getting to know one another. It¡¯s great to make friendships through CFL, but it¡¯s even better when you have a chance to meet in person ¨C you know, to put a face with the name.. err uhh I mean, username.
After dinner, Jingjing and I went to their apartment and discussed their case, and gave them a few pointers that may help them out.
Later, we returned home and put the finishing touches on the ¡°sink¡± The only thing we didn¡¯t add to it was a red bow. You know, I put a lot of work into it, and I have to say, it¡¯s a work of CFL art. I kind of have reservations about Jingjing going through it tomorrow and messing it all up
.thanks for the details, this thread has lots of useful info.
is it necessary to get the relationship letter notorized?
i see two pairs of legs here, http://i49.tinypic.com/332vvw8.jpg
is that what you showed to the interviewer?
would you mind reposting this cuz i really want to compare what i have to yours.
thanks
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Does the G325A need to be filled out in English? My foreign fiance's native language is Chinese.
It must be filled out in English with the exception of her name listed at the bottom in her native alphabet. This form goes to the USCIS. They want English.
Thanks, do we need to get the info on the form professionally/certifiably translated? Things like addresses previous employment history, etc?
No. As Charles said, everything but her name should be in English. No need for translations.
My fiance lives in China, street names of addresses, employer names, etc. are in Chinese not English. Don't I need to get these translated to English somehow if we are to enter them in the G325A?
What is the standard that they are looking for in the translation?
Yes they will have to be translated into English. Of course the street names of addresses and all that you mentioned would be written in pinyin.
Thanks that's what I needed to know.
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Does the G325A need to be filled out in English? My foreign fiance's native language is Chinese.
It must be filled out in English with the exception of her name listed at the bottom in her native alphabet. This form goes to the USCIS. They want English.
Thanks, do we need to get the info on the form professionally/certifiably translated? Things like addresses previous employment history, etc?
No. As Charles said, everything but her name should be in English. No need for translations.
My fiance lives in China, street names of addresses, employer names, etc. are in Chinese not English. Don't I need to get these translated to English somehow if we are to enter them in the G325A?
What is the standard that they are looking for in the translation?
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Does the G325A need to be filled out in English? My foreign fiance's native language is Chinese.
It must be filled out in English with the exception of her name listed at the bottom in her native alphabet. This form goes to the USCIS. They want English.
Thanks, do we need to get the info on the form professionally/certifiably translated? Things like addresses previous employment history, etc?
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Does the G325A need to be filled out in English? My foreign fiance's native language is Chinese.
Off to see the wizard of GUZ
in Consulate Process: P-3 ~ Interview
Posted
thanks Kyle. much appreciate it.